I'm just saying...

Sometimes, when I walk into Target, I feel like they should hire me on the spot.  I made a quick run there this morning and realized that half of what I had on was from Target.  And then I came home and realized that half of what I decorate with is from Target.  And I thought, they should be paying me for these advertisements.  I'm just saying...
Here are some of my more recent cute Target purchases (I bought the husband an awesome shirt there yesterday, but I don't have him here to photograph in it, so that's missing...)

 

1.  Sweet Floppy Hat

2.  Cardigan & Striped Gray Tank

3.  Floral Flip-Flops

4.  Soap/Lotion Duo (that smells AMAZING)

5.  Decorative Bowl Filler

6.  Awesome Red Pillow

7.  Bike Portrait (for THREE dollars!)

5 Things

I was tempted to write about all of the things I need to do this week.  I'm an accomplisher.  I live to reach the next goal, be in the next season, move toward higher ground. 
However, in the last year or so, God has been teaching me how to live in the present.  I want to be the best me and the most thankful for my life right now. 
I know that God has a plan that will move us forward in life, but I never want to forget each moment that he gifts us with.  Every stage is a part of the vital process he has placed me in, and I don't want to wish any part of process away.  So, instead of writing the long list of things to do or change, I wanted to write a list of what I'm thankful for in the here and now.

5 Things I Love About Our Life TODAY:

1.  Our freedom to have nights open.  This may seem small, but Billy's job is a normal, 40-hour week, which leaves us many free nights for ministry and meeting with people.  Which leads me to #2...

2.  The ministries we are a part of.  We are involved in a few different ministries at our church, and I'm in love with each one.  Our small groups are a blessing in SO many ways, and the different services are great times of fellowship and encouragement.  Also, the outreach we get to do has changed my life, and I will never forget what it has taught us.

3.  Our precious little home.  We rent a 2-bedroom townhouse, and I adore it.  It's got so many little things that I would've never asked for myself but that I love.  It's got electricity, heat, and AC.  The walls are clean and beautiful.  I have ample space to have guests and friends, and that is the whole purpose of having a home.

4.  Our church family.  We have a ton of other young-married couples in our church right now.  I fully know that this is rare and wonderful, and I try to take advantage of it as much as possible.  Having so many other believers in the same stage of life is incredibly encouraging.  I never thought that I would have so many good friends surrounding me.  I know that if God ever moved us, this may not be the case, so I'm thankful for each and every moment with these people.

5.  My Superman husband.  I have the best husband in the world.  He really needs his own list, actually.  He's incredibly forgiving, kind, and encouraging.  Plus, I think he's really swoon-worthy handsome.  I am so awed by the leader he's become in our home.  I trust his decisions and his relationship with the Lord.  He's everything I never knew I needed.

Summer Days

Summer has begun, and I couldn't be happier!  Though living in Charleston during the summer often feels like you get smacked in the face with hot, sticky humidity every time you walk out of the door, it really is so lovely!  The beach is quite a perk, and spending time with family out in the sun is a blast.
Also, so far I have yet to get burned this summer!  I have very fair skin and used to want nothing more than to be super tan.  Last summer, I got burned a good five times, and at least three of those I was sick with a fever.  It was just terrible.  Therefore, the first time we went to the beach last weekend, dear Billy walked all through Target with me and watched me try on a good twenty hats.  I finally found one big floppy white one, and with SPF 50 in my other hand, I was a happy girl.  I reapplied every 45 minutes and have done so every time I've been in the sun this week.  If you see me, I may be pale and pasty, but it's way better than being swollen and nauseous.
Here are some pictures of our lovely summer beginnings:

 

The sweetest little boy in the world

 

My super-cool little brother

The List of New

I'm experiencing a lovely amount of new things right now.  It's a breath of fresh air, and I'm thanking Jesus for this sweet time to just rest in Him.

Some new [or old-made-new] in my life:

1.  The Non-Blog-Design Existence 

I'm finishing up the last couple of blogs I had promised to finish and I have refunded everyone I couldn't promise designs for.  I am such a people pleaser, and I hate to disappoint anyone, even those of you I've only met/done business with in cyber-space.  However, getting used to not designing every waking moment or feeling guilty every time I do something besides fill orders has been not too hard.  I thank God and my husband for nudging me toward this.

2.  Books! 

When Billy and I first got married, we didn't have room to house all of my books, so we had to leave about half of them at my parents' house.  Well, last week, I got all of my babies back!  I literally feel like a mother hen who can now breathe normally because all of her children are back under one roof.  Please, please laugh at my nerdy expense.  I don't care, and I will show you by hiding my nose in re-reading one of my old books!

Please note that these pictures are taken before I alphabetized the books by author and loaded them onto a six-foot high shelf.

3.  HUGE Zucchini 

I'm not kidding.  A guy from Billy's work just thinks my husband is super awesome (which he is!) and is always bringing us yummy food-stuff.  First, he filled our freezer with deer-meat, which I have had fun experimenting with.  Then, today, he brought some of his veggies from his own garden for us!  I was really excited when Billy called because there is nothing I love more than organic food, especially if it's locally/home grown!
Billy said to me over the phone: "These zucchinis are very large!"  He lied.  They are not large.  They are bigger than my HEAD!

I am at a loss.  What to do?  How do you utilize such a humongous veggie!?
I'm looking forward to figuring this out.  Also, I will be very upset if any of you has ever cooked a vegetable this large and does not give me hints.  Very, very upset.

Thank you for the support with closing the blog designing.  I look forward to actually enjoying blogging again.  Also, I hope you enjoy the new design.  I'm pretty stoked about it.

Recovery

I haven't blogged for over TWO WEEKS.  I have been busy, but mostly I just have been recovering from the emotions that I put into my last blog post.  I know that it may not seem super emotional, but it was a bit taxing to write.

I've had lots of time to think and pray lately, and I have felt an overwhelming need to close the blog design shop.  I love blog designing, but our life right now does not have much room for it.  Just because it is something I can do does not mean it is something I should do.  That said, by next Monday (hopefully), you will see a new design to this blog, taking away any mention of blog design.  If you are one of the clients whose design I had to cancel, I thank you for your incredibly gracious responses.  

Anyway, I'm back!  With a fresh heart and an impending new look, I'm excited to share more with you all!  I'm so blessed by you and thank you for your sweet friendship!